Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Tentative agreement reached between U of T and CUPE Local 1230, Full-Time (Library Workers)

HR #20, 2011 – 12

December 20, 2011

To: PDAD&C
Professional & Managerial Staff

From: Angela Hildyard, Vice-President, Human Resources & Equity

Re: Tentative agreement reached between U of T and CUPE Local 1230, Full-Time (Library Workers)

We are very pleased to report that a tentative agreement was reached between the University and CUPE Local 1230, Full-Time (Library Workers). CUPE is planning to hold ratification meetings on January 10, 2012. Details regarding the agreement will be communicated following ratification.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Doctoral Thesis Completion Grant

PDAD&C#34, 2011-12

To: PDAD&C

From: Cheryl Misak, Vice-President and Provost
Brian Corman, Vice-Provost, Graduate Education and Dean of Graduate Studies

Date: December 19, 2011

Re: Doctoral Thesis Completion Grant

In response to feedback from our colleagues and our graduate students and after extensive consultation, we are pleased to announce a substantial change to the Doctoral Completion Award. The award will continue to be used to support PhD students who are in their first year beyond the funded cohort, but it will be administered by the graduate units to support their students according to the principles they determine as best for their disciplines. It has become clear that a one-size fits all approach is not as appropriate as a discipline-by-discipline approach.

SGS will continue to distribute the funds according to the formula developed for the award process this year. Graduate units will be expected to provide an annual account of how they spent their allocation. SGS will be providing graduate units with their GCA budget early in the new year.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Civil + Mineral Engineering Career Fair Reminder: January 12, 2012

The Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE) Student Chapter at the University of Toronto, the Lassonde Mineral Engineering Program and the Department of Civil Engineering will be hosting our annual CAREER FAIR 2011/2012 on Thursday, January 12, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Lobby, Medical Sciences Building, 1 King’s College Circle. All Civil & Mineral Engineering, Track 1 and Engineering Science Infrastructure Option undergraduate and graduate students are invited to attend to check out numerous potential employers and their related fields. Faculty members are also welcome to attend.

Procedure for Cancellation of Classes and/or University Closure Due to Adverse Weather Conditions

PDAD&C#32, 2011-12

To: Principals, Deans, Academic Directors and Chairs
Professional and Managerial Staff
Decentralized HR Offices

From: Cheryl Misak, Vice-President and Provost
Angela Hildyard, Vice-President, Human Resources and Equity

Date: December 13, 2011

Re: Reminder re Procedure for Cancellation of Classes and/or University Closure Due to Adverse Weather Conditions

The procedure for the cancellation of classes and/or University closure due to adverse weather conditions can be found at http://www.provost.utoronto.ca/policy/snowclosure.htm

To assist with communication, hotlines are on all three campuses (see below).

Tri-campus hotline - 416-978-SNOW (7669) UTM hotline - 905-569-4455 UTSC hotline - 416-287-7026

As necessary, notices are also posted on the U of T homepage - www.utoronto.ca.

Tri-Agency Framework: Responsible Conduct of Research

MEMORANDUM

TO: PDADC

FROM: Professor Paul Young, Vice-President, Research

RE: Tri-Agency Framework: Responsible Conduct of Research
________________________________________

On December 5, 2011, the Tri-Council officially launched the new Tri-Agency Framework: Responsible Conduct of Research. This new Framework is an umbrella document that describes Tri-Council policies and requirements related to applying for and managing Tri-Council funds, performing research and disseminating results. It also outlines the process that institutions and Tri-Council follow in the event of an allegation of a breach of Tri-Council policy.

This new Framework replaces the previous integrity policy and related documents, including the Tri-Agency Policy Statement: Integrity in Research and Scholarship (TCPS-I, 1994), the Framework for Tri-Council Review of Institutional Policies Dealing with Integrity in Research (1996) and the Tri-Agency Process for Addressing Allegations of Non-compliance with Tri-Agency Policies (2010).

It is important to note that:

1. Effective December 5, applicants, grantees and awards holders are required to comply with the new Tri-Agency Framework: Responsible Conduct of Research and all the policies contained within it.

2. To ensure full accountability and transparency for the proper use of public funds in supporting research, the Tri-Council now requires all researchers applying for funding to provide a Consent to Disclosure of Personal Information, allowing the Tri-Council (subject to applicable laws, including the Privacy Act, and in cases of a serious breach of agency policy) to publicly disclose:
o the name of the researcher;
o the nature of the breach;
o the name of the institution where the researcher was employed at the time of the breach; and
o the name of the institution where the researcher is currently employed.

3. A Panel on Responsible Conduct of Research will be created by the Tri-Council and will be responsible for ensuring a coherent and uniform approach to promoting the responsible conduct of research and addressing allegations of breaches of Tri-Council policies. The Panel will be responsible for governing and implementing the new Framework, with support from the new Secretariat on Responsible Conduct of Research (previously the Secretariat on Research Ethics).

Integrity and accountability in research are essential values important to Canadians, given the significant investments made by the federal government in research, and the important contributions these activities make to our society. These values are also important to the University of Toronto as demonstrated in our commitment to the highest standards of excellence, transparency and accountability in research. Therefore, please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the new framework. It can be found at http://www.rcr.ethics.gc.ca/eng/index/.

Start 2012 by Joining the U of T Green Ambassadors!

This message has been sent on behalf of the Sustainability Office.

Start 2012 by Joining the U of T Green Ambassadors!

The Green Ambassadors are a team of St. George campus employees working together to make U of T more sustainable. Each month, the Sustainability Office provides them with the materials to run small campaigns promoting environmentally-friendly habits in the workplace. Many Ambassadors go far beyond these, taking on sustainability projects large and small, and we’re proud of what they’ve accomplished over the past year.

We’re now looking for new staff and faculty to join us in January and to help make the program bigger and better. Being an Ambassador can mean as little as passing on an email each month or as much as starting up your own sustainability initiative.

In participating, you’ll gain critical leadership skills and be part of a group of hard-working, supportive people who are working to make their campus and the world a better place.

Apply now - it's easy!
http://sustainability.utoronto.ca/projects/ambassadors/apply.htm

Call for Nominations for Chancellor of the University of Toronto

TO: Governing Council
Academic Board
Business Board
University Affairs Board
College of Electors
Principals, Deans, Academic Directors, and Chairs
Alumni Council of Presidents
Alumni Development Officers
President of the Association of Part-time Undergraduate Students
President of the Graduate Students’ Union
President of the Scarborough Campus Students’ Union
President of the University of Toronto Students’ Union
President of the University of Toronto Faculty Association
Presidents of the Employee Unions
Professional, Managerial, and Confidential Staff
Senior Development Officers
University of Toronto Alumni Association Board of Directors

FROM: Françoise Ko, Chair, College of Electors

DATE: December 12, 2011

SUBEJCT: Call for Nominations for Chancellor of the University of Toronto


I am writing to seek your assistance in the process of nominating candidates for the position of Chancellor of the University of Toronto for a three-year term, ideally commencing July 1, 2012.

The Honourable David R. Peterson’s second term as Chancellor will come to an end as of June 30, 2012. At that time the Chancellor will have completed the maximum service length permitted by the University of Toronto Act, 1971. Regrettably, the University of Toronto Act, 1971 does not allow Chancellors to stand for a third term. Chancellor Peterson’s tireless and exemplary work on behalf of the University over the past six years is deeply appreciated by the entire University community.

The College of Electors, a body established by the Governing Council, is responsible for the election of the Chancellor, as well as for the election of alumni governors. As required by policy, a Chancellor Search Committee has been struck and has begun to meet. Its members are:

Dr. Françoise Ko (School of Graduate Studies), Chair
Mr. Richard Nunn, Chair of the Governing Council
Professor David Naylor, President
Mr. Scott MacKendrick (Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering), Vice-Chair
Ms Sue Graham-Nutter (University of Toronto Scarborough)
Mr. Aran Hamilton (Joseph L. Rotman School of Management)
Rev. David Harrison (SGS/Toronto School of Theology)

Other than the Chair of the Governing Council and the President, the membership comprises the Executive Committee of the College of Electors.

The Chancellor is the titular head of the University, and, with the President and the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Governing Council, represents the University to the external community. In this role, the Chancellor is an advocate for the vision of the University as it is articulated by the President and endorsed by the Governing Council. He/She plays an essential ambassadorial role in advancing the University’s interests within the local, provincial, national and international arenas.

The ideal candidate will be a distinguished person with a record of demonstrated excellence in his/her chosen field and in service to the community. He/She will have a strong public presence and profile and well-developed relationship-building skills.

The Chancellor is elected for a term of three years and may serve for a maximum of two consecutive terms. The Chancellor serves as a volunteer and receives no remuneration; he/she is required by statute to be a Canadian citizen.

The Chancellor Search Committee will accept nominations as of Monday, December 12, 2011. Nominations will continue to be accepted until the Committee makes its recommendation to the College of Electors, the body responsible for the election of the Chancellor.

The nomination form and the Chancellor Position Profile is available from the website listed below.

http://assets.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/BoardsCommittees/coe/UTChS2012.pdf

Nominations and requests for further information may be submitted in confidence to the address below.

Ms Mae-Yu Tan
Secretary, Chancellor Search Committee
University of Toronto
27 King’s College Circle, Room 106
Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A1
Phone: 416-978-6576
E-mail: maeyu.tan@utoronto.ca

Thank you very much for your assistance in this important process. We look forward to hearing from you.

Appointment of Vice-President, University Operations

MEMORANDUM

To: Governing Council
Academic Board
Business Board
University Affairs Board
Principals, Deans, Academic Directors, and Chairs
Professionals, Managers, and Confidential Staff
President of UTFA
President of Employee Unions
Presidents of APUS, GSU, SCSU, UTMSU & UTSU

From: David Naylor, President

Date: Thursday, November 15, 2011

Re: Appointment of Vice-President, University Operations


I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Scott Mabury as Vice-President, University Operations, for a five-year term effective January 1, 2012. Professor Mabury is currently Vice-Provost, Academic Operations and his new appointment was approved at today's meeting of the Governing Council.

As Vice-Provost, Academic Operations, Professor Mabury has had university wide oversight of the Office of Planning and Budget, and space and information technology matters. Under his strong leadership the university rolled-out UTmail+, the new email service for students with greatly enhanced performance and functionality; re-built the University Data Centre which addresses infrastructure risk and security while providing the capacity for server virtualization; and planned for the Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport capital project which breaks ground in January 2012. He and his team have worked closely with academic divisions on both high level budget strategy and on detailed enrolment planning in support their academic missions.

Professor Mabury is known for his enormous energy, creativity, and demonstrated effectiveness in building relationships with all university stakeholders. He worked with UTSU to plan for the utilization of 230 College as the new Student Commons, and with the colleagues across the University on the creation of two new funds: The "Major Research Projects Management" fund to encourage faculty competitiveness for tri-council grants; and the "Undergraduate Course Development Fund" to encourage interdivisional teaching. Professor Mabury was also instrumental in repopulating Best and Banting for entrepreneurial activities around faculty and student start-up companies.

Portfolios reporting to Professor Mabury will now include Information Technology Services, Campus and Facilities Planning, Office of Space Management, Real Estate Operations, Facilities and Services, Ancillary Services, and the Office of Planning and Budget. Professor Mabury will continue to work with the Provost with respect to planning and budget matters; academic budget authority will of course remain with the Provost. One advantage of this new structure is the closer alignment of the academic mission with a range of vital University operations. The Financial Services Group under the direction of the Chief Financial Officer will report directly to the President.

Professor Mabury holds a PhD in Agricultural and Environmental Chemistry from the University of California, Davis. He first joined the University of Toronto as a faculty member in 1995 and became Director of the Analytical Laboratory for Environmental Science Research and Teaching in 1997. Professor Mabury served as Chair of the Department of Chemistry from 2003 until he was appointed to the position of Vice-Provost, Academic Operations on July 1, 2009.

Professor Mabury was appointed a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada earlier this year, and his current research interests are in the areas of environmental photochemistry, fluorochemicals and atmospheric particles. He has written extensively on the environmental fate, disposition and persistence of agrochemicals, industrial chemicals and pharmaceuticals. He has published over 130 scientific papers in refereed journals and has presented his research at conferences, workshops and seminars all over the world.

I hope you will join me in congratulating Professor Scott Mabury as he undertakes this new role.

Finally, I would like to thank the members of the Search Advisory Committee for their thoughtful advice and guidance throughout the search process.

Advisory Committee for the Vice-President and Principal, University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC)

PDAD&C #33, 2011-12

To: Faculty, Staff, Students, and Alumni, University of Toronto Scarborough
PDAD&C
Governing Council
Academic Board
Business Board
University Affairs Board
Professional/Managerial Staff
President of UTFA
Presidents of Employee Unions
Presidents of APUS, GSU, SCSU, UTMSU and UTSU

From: David Naylor, President
Cheryl Misak, Vice-President and Provost

Date: December 14, 2011

Re: Advisory Committee for the Vice-President and Principal, University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC)

As announced on October 3, 2011, Professor Franco J. Vaccarino will complete his first term as Vice-President and Principal of the University of Toronto Scarborough on June 30, 2012. Professor Vaccarino is eligible for re-appointment.

In accordance with Section 62 (b) of the Policy on Appointment of Academic Administrators, an Advisory Committee has been struck with the following membership.

Professor David Naylor, President (Co-Chair) Professor Cheryl Misak, Vice-President and Provost (Co-Chair) Mr. John Aruldason, Undergraduate Student, UTSC Professor Maydianne Andrade, Department of Biological Sciences, UTSC Professor Daniel Bender, Department of Humanities, UTSC Professor Brian Corman, Dean, School of Graduate Studies and Vice-Provost, Graduate Education Professor Amrita Daniere, Vice-Dean, Graduate, UTM Ms. Helen Morissette, Director, Financial Services, UTSC Ms. Victoria Owen, Head Librarian, UTSC Professor Janet Paterson, Principal, Innis College Professor William Seager, Department of Philosophy, UTSC Ms. Maureen Somerville, Alumni Governor Ms. Sherri Thiele, Graduate Student, UTSC Professor Frank Wania, Department of Physical & Environment Sciences, UTSC

The Advisory Committee welcomes comments and nominations from interested persons. These should be sent to the attention of Sheree Drummond, Assistant Provost, by January 13, 2012 by email (sheree.drummond@utoronto.ca) or mail (Room 225, Simcoe Hall, 27 King's College Circle).

Friday, December 9, 2011

Research Alert: Welcome to Research Alerts – Account set up

Welcome to Research Alerts
Please reply to: Dan Johnson (de.johnson@utoronto.ca)

The Office of the Vice President, Research is pleased to introduce a new service entitled ‘Research Alerts’. This is a communication and productivity tool developed for University of Toronto research community. We are writing now to let you know that a new account in Research Alerts has been established for you, in relation to your role as a faculty member at the University of Toronto.

Research Alerts:
• provides timely updates on funding opportunities, research-related policies and guidelines, workshops & events and more
• allows you to customize your account to receive only messages that match your interests or research role
• delivers information to you as soon as it is published!
• will shortly become the primary mechanism for staff in the Vice-President
Research portfolio to communicate with the U of T research community
Please take a moment to customize your subscription preferences by going to the Research Alerts site: https://alerts.research.utoronto.ca; and select the 'My Tags' link. This will ensure that you receive only messages that are relevant to your interests.

Over the last few weeks we have established accounts for certain designated groups within the university who have specific roles in relation to research and research administration. These include Principals and Deans, Chairs and Directors, Divisional Research Facilitators, Divisional CAOs / CFOs, and Business Officers. In addition to these groups you now have direct and immediate access to messages about upcoming funding opportunity deadlines, research & innovation-related workshops and events, research policy updates, etc. The availability of this new tool will relieve academic unit heads of the responsibility for passing on key research communications and will facilitate direct transmission of important information from the Office of the Vice President, Research to faculty members.

Should you have any technical questions or suggestions, please contact rso.research@utoronto.ca.

We hope that this new tool will be helpful to you and to the entire U of T research community.

Thank you and welcome!
- The Research Alerts Team

December 15: Clint Andrews - "From Buildings to Cities: Informing practical decisions with agent-based models"

We have Clint Andrews from Rutgers coming in to do a presentation on Dec 15: "From Buildings to Cities: Informing practical decisions with agent-based models" (10.30 am. in GB 303). -abstract below. Please encouarge students and colleageus to attend.

Clint has been very active in researching user behaviour in buildings, as well making many contributions to industrial ecology and urban planning. He is Professor of Urban Planning and Policy Development, and Director of the Center for Green Building, at Rutgers University. See http://policy.rutgers.edu/faculty/andrews.

---- Abstract ----

From Buildings to Cities: Informing practical decisions with agent-based models

Decision support systems often perform computer simulations but only rarely
are the underlying models agent-based. Yet agent-based approaches can be
very useful in applications with heterogeneous actors exhibiting bounded
rationality and adaptive potential. This talk will identify opportunities
for and constraints on greater use of agent-based modeling for decision
support. It will share lessons learned from a series of recent projects
exploring agent-based decision support in the domains of environmental
management (comparing technical and behavioral fixes within firms), product
policy (determining whether green niche products will go mainstream),
architecture (improving energy efficiency by designing to accommodate
occupant behavior), and urban planning (adapting to climate change in the
coastal zone). These experiences will highlight the need to overcome
significant communicative challenges, ground the models firmly in an
empirical context, and use agent-based approaches only when they actually
possess a comparative advantage. Funding for this work is from the U.S.
National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, and the Environmental
Protection Agency.

CUPE 3902: Unit 1 Update

HR #16, 2011-12
PDAD&C #30, 2011-12
December 6, 2011
To: PDAD&C
From: Angela Hildyard, Vice-President Human Resources and Equity
Cheryl Misak, Vice-President and Provost

Re: CUPE 3902 Unit 1 Update

Over the past several months, the University and the Union have met on 21 occasions and have reached mutual agreement on 22 issues. However, there are a number of very important issues on which we remain far apart. We believe that it is time for us to seek the assistance of a Conciliation Officer and the University has advised the Union that we will make the request to the Ontario Ministry of Labour.
Given the time of year, it is likely that we will be unable to meet with the Conciliation Officer until early January. In the meantime, it is, of course, “business as usual”.
We want to assure you that we remain fully committed to reaching an agreement with our Teaching Assistants and we will provide you with regular updates as necessary.

Call for Nominations for 2012 Governing Council and Academic Board

Memorandum

To: Governing Council
Academic Board
Business Board
University Affairs Board
College of Electors
Principals, Deans, Academic Directors, and Chairs
Association of Part-time Undergraduate Students
Graduate Students’ Union
Scarborough Campus Students’ Union
University of Toronto Students’ Union
University of Toronto Faculty Association
United Steelworkers of America
University of Toronto Alumni Association Executive Committee

From: Anwar Kazimi, Chief Returning Officer

Date: December 6, 2011

Subject: 2012 Governing Council and Academic Board Call for Nominations

Nominations for election to seats on the Governing Council and the Academic Board will be accepted between Friday, January 6, 2012 at 12:00 noon and Friday, January 20, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. Nomination forms will be available as of January 6th at http://www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/elections.htm and from the Office of the Governing Council, Room 106, Simcoe Hall.

Please encourage administrative staff, students, and teaching staff whom you feel would make a valuable contribution to University governance to consider running as a candidate in the upcoming elections. Prospective candidates are advised to review the Elections Guidelines, 2012. The Guidelines are available at: http://assets.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/BoardsCommittees/elections/EG2012.pdf These Guidelines provide important information regarding election procedures, nominator and nominee eligibility requirements, campaign principles, allowable campaign expenses, etc.

A summary of the work of the Governing Council and the Academic Board, key election period dates, and seats open for election are provided below. Comprehensive information about the Governing Council and the Academic Board is available at: http://www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/home.htm

Please note that the University of Toronto Act, 1971 requires that members of the Governing Council be Canadian citizens. There is no citizenship requirement for service on the Academic Board.

Additional information about serving on the Governing Council or the Academic Board may be obtained by contacting the Chief Returning Office, Mr. Anwar Kazimi (416-978-8427; anwar.kazimi@utoronto.ca) or the Deputy Returning Officer, Ms Mae-Yu Tan (416-978-8794; maeyu.tan@utoronto.ca).

Thank you.

_____________________________________________________

Governing Council
The Governing Council is the senior governing body of the University responsible for overseeing the academic, business, and student affairs of the University. Membership includes the Chancellor, the President, 8 alumni, 12 teaching staff, 8 students, 2 administrative staff, 16 government appointees, and 2 Presidential appointees. Members of the Governing Council serve as volunteers.

Governors are collectively and individually stewards of the University and are asked to contribute to decisions that affect the University’s current and future achievements. Not only do elected governors contribute to the advancement of the University's goals and objectives, they have an opportunity to find out a great deal about university issues and processes, such as, institutional budgeting, strategic planning, and academic and non-academic policy making. The Governing Council is responsible for overseeing the University's strategic direction, finances, human resources, capital expenditures and infrastructure, academic quality, and the student experience.

I. Nominations will be accepted for 1 administrative staff, 8 student and 6 teaching staff seats between Friday, January 6 and Friday, January 20, 2012.

• 1 administrative staff seat for a three-year term (July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2015)
• 4 full-time undergraduate student seats, each for a one-year term (July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013)
• 2 part-time undergraduate student seats, each for a one-year term (July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013)
• 2 graduate student seats, each for a one-year term (July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013)
• 5 teaching staff seats, each for a three-year term (July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2015)
• 1 teaching staff seat (by-election with the term effective immediately upon election until June 30, 2013)

II. Applications will be accepted for 2 alumni seats between Monday, December 12, 2011 and Friday, January 27, 2012, each for a three-year term (July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2015).
Academic Board
The Academic Board is composed of 122 members, 50 of whom are elected teaching staff. The Board is responsible for such matters as admissions and awards policies; establishment of new academic programs; establishment, termination, or restructuring of academic units; academic appointments policy; budget guidelines and annual budgets; capital plans and projects; curriculum and academic regulations; academic discipline; and research policy.

I. Nominations for the following 19 teaching staff seats and 1 librarian seat will be accepted between Friday, January 6 and Friday, January 20, 2012, each for a three-year term (July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2015) unless indicated otherwise below:
• Applied Science and Engineering: 1 seat
• Arts and Science: 5 seats (plus by-election for 2 seats for a term effective immediately upon election until June 30, 2013)
• Dentistry: 1 seat
• Forestry: 1 seat
• Medicine: 3 seats
• Music: 1 seat
• UTM: 1 seat
• OISE: 1 seat (for a term effective immediately upon election until June 30, 2015)
• Pharmacy: 1 seat (for a term effective immediately upon election until June 30, 2015)
• UTSC: 1 seat
• SGS (Division I (Humanities) and Division II (Social Sciences)): 1 seat
• Librarians: 1 seat

Friday, December 2, 2011

Policy Requirements: Policy on Conflict of Interest

PDAD&C#27, 2011-12
TO: Principals, Deans, Academic Directors & Chairs
FROM: Edith Hillan, Vice Provost Faculty & Academic Life
DATE: November 29, 2011
RE: Communicating Policy Requirements

In the 2010-11 report of the University Ombudsperson, it was noted that the Office was aware of instances in which academic administrators failed to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with University policies in relation to conflict of interest. The report observed that the Policy on Conflict of Interest requires academic administrators to ensure that all faculty members – and in particular new faculty members and teaching assistants - are informed of key University policies in relation to conflict of interest so that they are aware of their obligations in this regard.

I would ask that you take this opportunity to communicate with all staff about some of the key policies which frame their employment relationship. You may wish to use or modify the text (drawn from the Statement on Conflict of Interest and Conflict of Commitment) below:-

I would like to take this opportunity to remind you of the standards of academic integrity which, as members of the University community, we must uphold. These standards include freedom from conflicts of interest and conflicts of commitment as well as transparency in all process and relationships, ensuring that the public’s confidence in the University and in all activities carried out at the University, are maintained.

At the heart, lies the commitment to academic freedom as set out in the University’s Statement of Institutional Purpose, Statement on Freedom of Speech and in article 5 of the Memorandum of Agreement between the University of Toronto and the University of Toronto Faculty Association.
The University’s Policy on Conflict of Interest (for Academic Staff and for Librarians) describes conflict of interest and the procedures to be followed when faculty members and librarians engage in professional work from which they derive supplementary income, and establishes procedures for other situations which could give rise to apparent conflicts of interest.

The University also expects every aspect of research to be conducted in accordance with the University’s Policy on Ethical Conduct in Research. The results of University research are fully disclosable in accordance with the University’s Publication Policy. When publishing the finding of research, the Policy on Conflict of Interest – Academic Staff requires faculty members to disclose the source of funding in the publication unless the faculty member has obtained approval to do otherwise.

Integrity and honesty in the teaching and learning relationship are also central to the University’s mission. The University’s Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters is concerned with the responsibilities of faculty members and students as they co-operate in all phases of the teaching and learning relationship.

I would ask that you review these policies and are familiar with your responsibilities and obligations.

Finally, there are a number of policies which directly address your role as an academic administrator. Please review and familiarise yourself with the Conflict of Interest and Close Personal Relations Protocols for Chairs and Academic Administrators and the Guidelines Regarding Close Personal Relations between Senior University Administrators.

Links to Policies Referred to in the Memorandum
Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters - http://www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/Assets/Governing+Council+Digital+Assets/Policies/PDF/ppjun011995.pdf
Conflict of Interest and Close Personal Relations Protocols for Chairs and Academic Administrators - www.provost.utoronto.ca/policy/academics.htm
Guidelines Regarding Close Personal Relations between Senior University Administrators - www.provost.utoronto.ca/policy.htm
Memorandum of Agreement between the University of Toronto and the University of Toronto Faculty Association - http://www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/Assets/Governing+Council+Digital+Assets/Policies/PDF/memoagree.pdf
Policy on Conflict of Interest (for Academic Staff) - http://www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/Assets/Governing+Council+Digital+Assets/Policies/PDF/ppjun221994.pdf;
Policy on Conflict of Interest (for Librarians) - http://www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/Assets/Governing+Council+Digital+Assets/Policies/PDF/ppmar091995i.pdf
Policy on Ethical Conduct in Research - http://www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/Assets/Governing+Council+Digital+Assets/Policies/PDF/ppmar281991i.pdf
Publication Policy - http://www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/Assets/Governing+Council+Digital+Assets/Policies/PDF/ppmay302007ii.pdf
Statement of Institutional Purpose -http://www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/Assets/Governing+Council+Digital+Assets/Policies/PDF/ppoct151992.pdf
Statement on Freedom of Speech - http://www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/Assets/Governing+Council+Digital+Assets/Policies/PDF/ppmay281992.pdf

CUPE 3902: Strike Vote Update

To: PDAD&C

From: Cheryl Misak, Vice-President and Provost
Angela Hildyard, Vice-President, Human Resources and Equity

Date: December 1, 2011

RE: CUPE 3902 Update

As you will likely know, CUPE 3902 Unit 1 recently held a strike vote and announced yesterday in a press release that "91% voted in favour of a strike in the event that the University administration fails to offer them a reasonable contract".

The University and the Union are continuing to meet to discuss those areas for which we have not yet reached agreement. We remain hopeful that we will be able to reach an agreement that is "reasonable" not only for CUPE members but also for those academic units that employ Teaching Assistants.

If there are any changes to the status of these negotiations, we will let you know immediately.

Donations Management: Year-end Processing of Donations and 2011 Tax Receipts

TO: PDAD&C, SDOs, ADOs, Business Officers, DUA

FROM: Semere-ab Abiyo, Director, Alumni and Donor Services

DATE: December 1, 2011

SUBJECT: Year-end Processing of Donations and 2011 Tax Receipts

December 31, 2011 is fast approaching. As is normally the case, we anticipate an extremely high volume of donations before year-end. All donations requiring a 2011 tax receipt must be received by Donations Management no later than JANUARY 13, 2012.

All 2011 donations must be postmarked no later than December 31, 2011. Postmarked envelopes or other evidence of delivery such as courier slips must accompany all donations forwarded to Donations Management between January 2nd and 13th to avoid any question as to eligibility. Please forward this memo to all relevant faculty and administrative staff that will be handling donations during this period. Please note we will not issue a 2011 tax receipt if the donation forwarded between January 2nd and 13th does not have the appropriate postmarked envelope or delivery slip. Donations received on or before December 20th must be forwarded to Donations Management for processing before the holiday closure.

For those divisions that anticipate hand deliveries of donations over the holidays, please post a sign directing the donors to 21 King's College Circle. For those divisions that anticipate couriered donations over the holidays, please ensure that they are couriered directly to 21 King's College Circle. Please note we will not issue a 2011 tax receipt if the donation is postmarked, faxed or hand delivered after December 31st. When communicating with your donors, I encourage you to gently remind them of this.

To facilitate the collection of donations, University Advancement will remain open at 21 King's College Circle during the University's Holiday closing period on the following days:

Wednesday, December 21st 9:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 22nd 9:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Friday, December 23rd 9:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 28th 9:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 29th 9:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Friday, December 30th 9:00 - 4:00 p.m.

University Advancement at 21 King's College Circle will be closed on Tuesday December 27th.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact Donations Management at (416) 978-0811, by fax at (416) 978-2918 or email at donations.management@utoronto.ca. During the holiday closing period, for donation enquiries, please call (416) 978-0811 and for non donation enquiries, please call (416) 978-1221 or 1-800-463-6048.

Donations Management Fax: 416-978-1066

Warmest wishes for a safe and happy holiday season!

Call for nominations for Administrative Staff Awards

Dear Chairs, Directors and Colleagues:

I would like to draw your attention to the call for nominations for administrative staff awards recently announced in the November Engineering Newsletter. As in previous years, there are five awards for which all administrative staff are eligible: Agnes Kaneko Award; the Emerging Leader Award; the Influential Leader Award; Innovation Award; and Quality of Student Experience (Graduate and Undergraduate). The deadline for receipt of nominations is January 31st, 2012, as per the detailed description attached.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Carolyn Farrell, Director, Awards and Honours.

Regards

Barbara

Barbara McCann| Faculty Registrar
Faculty of Applied Science + Engineering | University of Toronto
Mailing Address: 35 St. George Street | Toronto | Ontario | M5S 1A4
Office Location: 35 St. George Street , Room 157
mccann@ecf.utoronto.ca | www.engineering.utoronto.ca
Tel 416.978.5894| Fax 416.978-1866

__________________________________


November 2011

Administrative Staff Awards Program


CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: DEADLINE JANUARY 31st, 2012

We are now accepting nominations for all five of the Staff Awards noted below. Nomination packages are to be submitted to:

Carolyn Farrell
Director, Awards and Honours
Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering
35 St. George Street, Room 154
978-8666
carolyn.farrell@utoronto.ca

Electronic submissions (as pdfs) are encouraged.

*Previously unsuccessful nomination packages may be resubmitted with the simple addition of an updated nomination letter. Dated material from the original submission that is still relevant can be resubmitted as is (without updating.) Any new material may be added to the package at the discretion of the nominator. Resubmission of strong files is encouraged.

*Self nominations are accepted for all awards. Those planning to self-nominate are encouraged to contact Carolyn Farrell, Director, Awards and Honours, for advice on preparing a nomination package (contact information above).


Name: Agnes Kaneko Citizenship Award

Eligibility: Appointed Staff. Individuals only.

Nominations: Anyone can nominate. Self nominations also accepted.

Nomination Package: Letter from the nominator. At least two letters of support from people in a position to evaluate the nominee’s contributions. CV. Additional letters from colleagues that address the criteria and the impact the nominee has had on them will enhance the nomination.

Selection Committee: The Staff Awards Committee.

Prize Awarded: $500 and a commemorative award.

Criteria:
Recognizes excellent Faculty citizens; staff who have served the Faculty with distinction and made contributions to the Faculty’s mission above and beyond their job description, over a long period of time (minimum 10 years). The nominees should be held in high regard by their colleagues, be viewed as a role model to other staff, and/or contribute to a positive and inclusive working environment.



Name: Emerging Leader

Eligibility: Appointed Staff. Individuals only.

Nominations: Anyone can nominate. Self nominations also accepted.

Nomination Package: CV. Letter from the nominator. At least two letters of support from people in a position to evaluate the nominee’s contributions.

Selection Committee: Will include as a minimum: a member of the Staff Awards Committee, a previous winner, and a member of Chairs and Directors/Senior Administrative Management.

Prize Awarded: $500 and a commemorative award.

Criteria: Will mirror criteria for the Emerging Leaders Chancellor’s Award, including:
• Impacts their workplace by continually improving business processes to better serve the Faculty’s and the University’s mission
• Leads by example in their “above and beyond” dedication to the Faculty’s mission
• Demonstrates a commitment to a culture of inclusivity and diversity
• Is held in high regard by faculty, staff and/or students
• Displays an ongoing commitment to the Faculty and the University through outstanding service outside the nominee’s job requirements
• Demonstrates significant potential to assume a more senior leadership role in the Faculty
• As a guideline: has been working in the Faculty for less than 10 years


Name: Influential Leader

Eligibility: Appointed Staff. Individuals only.

Nominations: Anyone can nominate. Self nominations also accepted.

Nomination Package: CV. Letter from the nominator. At least two letters of support from people in a position to evaluate the nominee’s contributions.

Selection Committee: Will include as a minimum: a member of the Staff Awards Committee, a previous winner, and a member of Chairs and Directors/Senior Administrative Management.

Prize Awarded: $500 and a commemorative award.

Criteria: Will mirror criteria for the Influential Leader Chancellor’s Award, including:
• Demonstrates exemplary support for the Faculty’s education and research endeavours
• Leads by example in their “above and beyond” dedication to the Faculty’s mission
• Is held in high regard by faculty, staff and students
• Communicates a vision and commitment to new initiatives and continually contributes to the improvement of business processes within the Faculty
• Promotes a culture of inclusivity and diversity within the Faculty
• Has made significant sustained contributions to the Faculty
• Inspires others to realize their potential
• As a guideline: has been working in the Faculty for more than 10 years



Name: Innovation Award

Eligibility: Appointed Staff. Individuals or teams

Nominations: Anyone can nominate. Self nominations also accepted.

Nomination Package: Letter from the nominator. At least two letters of support from people in a position to evaluate the impact of the innovation. Detailed description of the innovation (maximum 2 pages).

Selection Committee: Will include as a minimum: a member of the Staff Awards Committee, a previous winner, and a third member. One member must be in a position to evaluate any candidates who have been nominated for research innovation.

Prize Awarded: $500 and a commemorative award. (Teams share the $500)

Criteria:
Recognizes staff who, individually or as a team, during the past three years, have developed an innovative new method, technology or system to improve on current practice; made innovative improvements to an existing technology or system; or created an innovative solution to a problem. The innovation may have enhanced research, teaching, administration, or any aspect of the Faculty’s business. This award is given in recognition of a specific innovation and the nomination package must provide details of the item/process that has been implemented or improved.


Name: Quality of Student Experience Award (Graduate and Undergraduate)

Eligibility: Appointed Staff. Individuals or teams

Nominations: Anyone can nominate. Self nominations also accepted.

Nomination Package: Letter from the nominator, which includes a detailed description of the nominee’s achievements and contributions. At least two letters of support from people in a position to evaluate the nominee’s contributions.

Selection Committee: Will include as a minimum: a member of the Staff Awards Committee, a representative of Eng Soc, and a graduate student.

Prize Awarded: $500 and a commemorative award. (Teams share the $500)

Criteria:
Recognizes staff who, working either directly with students or behind the scenes, have made significant improvements to the quality of student experience in the Faculty. This applies to both the graduate and undergraduate student experience. This can recognize the creation or improvement of services for the students, or simply a record of excellent student service. Successful candidates will meet at least some of the following criteria:
• Ensure that every student has the best possible experience in the Faculty
• Enhances the feeling of community for the students and enhances services in response to student’s diverse needs
• Improves communications with students and/or student access to important information
• Responds to students unique needs and challenges and ensures access to all available institutional support and learning communities.

UofT Campaign: FAQ and Answers

Q&A for PDAD&C 28/11/2011
Memo
To: Members of PDAD&C
From: David Palmer, Vice-President, Advancement
Gillian Morrison, Assistant Vice-President, Divisional Relations and Campaigns
Date: 28 November 2011
Subject: Common questions and answers regarding the

Campaign for the University of Toronto

Dear Colleagues,
As the public phase of the campaign unfolds, we thought the attached FAQ might be helpful in preparing you for questions that you may encounter from colleagues and friends of the University regarding the Campaign. We welcome your feedback on the questions and suggested responses below.

Common Questions and Suggested Answers

1. Why is the University of Toronto launching a fundraising campaign?
 It will be obvious that we face an environment in which other forms of funding are tightly constrained, and in which the resources of our major international peers are often many times that of the University of Toronto. A comprehensive fundraising campaign is therefore a key vehicle for pursuing new funding opportunities.
 Campaigns galvanize and deepen engagement of our alumni. They also stimulate growth
in donation revenues, accelerate decisions, and lift the sights of philanthropic supporters. It is precisely because the economic outlook is uncertain that we need to be more active in making our case for philanthropic support.
 The effects of a successful Campaign are myriad and meaningful. The funds raised will make measurable enhancements to student life and learning; support advances in basic and applied research across all of the University’s strong academic divisions and departments; support university-wide initiatives that address today’s most pressing global challenges; and help prepare students for leadership as global citizens in an increasingly complex and borderless worlds.

2. How will the Campaign support students and faculty?
 Our students are among the primary beneficiaries of the campaign; their experience at U of T will be enhanced directly or indirectly by all donations made to the University, whether those donations are directed to student financial assistance, faculty support, new facilities and buildings, academic programs or research. Access and opportunities for students regardless of background, and improvements to student life and learning, are featured priorities in the campaign.
 Similarly, maintaining and enhancing the strength of our faculty cohort across all
disciplines is one of our highest priorities. The Campaign will seek funding to provide positions for young and mid-career faculty members through “Rising Star” funds. We will continue to seek funds for endowed chairs and professorships, which are important tools in our efforts to attract and retain the world-class faculty members. The campaign also features many priorities that support the work of our faculty, in basic and applied research, in the development of new teaching programs, and in the creation of new multidisciplinary initiatives.

3. How were the fundraising priorities for the Campaign established?
 All fundraising for the University is done in the service to approved academic priorities.
 Fundraising priorities arise from the academic priorities of the University’s diverse faculties, colleges and campuses. Academic priorities and the fundraising prioritiesassociated with them arise through their regular academic planning cycles.
 The University’s academic divisions submit their list of campaign funding priorities to the Provost, the chief academic officer of the University, for review and approval. The
University’s Governing Council reviewed and approved the campaign’s overall funding
priorities at its meeting of October 27, 2011.
 The identified priorities will drive fundraising efforts centrally and by each U of T campus, faculty and division.

4. What is the theme of the University’s campaign?
 In the spring and summer of 2010, University Advancement staff began consulting with academic units and administrative divisions associated with student life to understand their academic priorities. From those consultations and continued dialogue, some common narrative strains arose, which led to the creation of a framework for the Campaign’s case for support. This framework organizes the campaign’s priorities into two broad pillars: preparing global citizens and meeting global challenges.
 The campaign’s case for support is intended to convey the impact of the University’s research and teaching mission, of the many funding priorities of its strong academic divisions, and of its international community of faculty, staff, students, and alumni, on society broadly.
 Our case for support organizes the academic priorities into broad areas supporting the student experience (under access and opportunity, student life and learning, and global fluency) and supporting our research and teaching mission (under knowledge and meaning, invention and innovation, and building healthy, sustainable, and successful societies).
 The campaign expresses a shared belief in the role that our University community can and will play in helping shape a better future for this and subsequent generations. This ambition is what draws such brilliant and talented people to the University of Toronto, and why we have chosen “Boundless” as the theme of the campaign:
o For what it says about the limitless potential and aspirations of our international
community of students, alumni, and donors;
o For the impact of our faculty’s teaching and research mission, extending its reach
across the boundaries of knowledge, disciplines, nations, and cultures;
o And for its sense of openness, optimism, and inclusiveness—a global perspective
shared by our community, rooted in and reflecting the world’s most successfully
diverse urban region
 Worth repeating from our recent memo to PDAD&C: In announcing and promoting the
campaign to our broad alumni community and general public, we have given pride of
place to the stories of faculty, students, and particularly of our alumni—stories that illustrate the impact of our research and teaching mission in shaping the experience of students, in pursuit of fundamental and applied inquiry, and in addressing today’s most pressing issues. The campaign case for support, its website, outdoor banners, and other supporting materials, feature these stories prominently as the primary means for delivering the campaign’s key messages. And as with the previous Great Minds campaign, our promotion of this new campaign will roll out in multiple phases, allowing for broad coverage of all our constituencies.

5. Who are the donors to the Campaign?
 The vast majority of donations has always come—and will continue to come—from our
alumni and other individuals. On average, approximately 70 per cent of donations come
from individuals (56 per cent from individual alumni, and 14 per cent from other
individuals), 14 per cent from corporations, and 16 per cent from foundations, in any
given year.
 Gifts from individuals, foundations and other organizations and corporations are counted toward the Campaign total. Government grants and matching funds from government are not counted toward the Campaign total.

6. What is the timeframe for the Campaign?
 This Campaign, like our previous campaigns and others across North America, has been divided into two phases: the quiet phase and the public phase.
 The Campaign’s quiet phase began with the appointment of Prof. David Naylor as
president of the University of Toronto in mid-2005.
 The objective of the quiet phase was to raise approximately 50 per cent of the Campaign goal of $2 billion prior to the launch of the public phase. We have achieved that objective and will now raise $1 billion over an additional five years to complete the Campaign.

7. How will current economic volatility affect the University’s ability to raise funds?
 Campaigns operate over periods of years and often encounter both bull and bear markets as they proceed. The University’s last campaign raised $1 billion despite the large market downturn that ensued when the dot-com bubble burst in 2001.
 Investment in education is a continuing top priority for many donors, regardless of
economic conditions. Philanthropic support for education is among the best long-term
investments in building healthy, sustainable, successful societies.
 Annual giving from our alumni and friends has been unaffected by the challenging
economic times in recent years. Major gifts are more susceptible to shifting economic
landscapes; yet we have continued to receive landmark gifts from major benefactors
during this time, raising almost half of the $2 billion goal.

8. How much is the University spending on fundraising?
 U of T’s average cost per dollar raised over the past six fiscal years (2005-06 to 2010-11) was 14 cents. This represents more than a seven-fold return on the University’s investment in fundraising.
 The Canada Revenue Agency’s Guidelines to Charities on Fundraising has published a
CRA review threshold of 35 cents per dollar raised. U of T’s projected cost per dollar is less than half the CRA review threshold. It is also at the low end of accepted industry ranges of 15 to 25 cents per dollar raised for major comprehensive fundraising programs such as this one.
 The University spends less than 1% of its annual operating budget on fundraising costs.
 Every philanthropic dollar received goes entirely to the donor’s project or purpose of choice in accordance with the University’s approved priorities. Fundraising costs are born by the University’s base operating budget.

9. What steps have the University taken to protect its academic integrity and values?
 Fundraising is done only in service to the academic priorities of the University, and only for priorities that have been determined by U of T’s academic divisions and departments and approved by the Provost’s office.
 All gift agreements are subject to the policies and guidelines established by the University. The University of Toronto has been a leader in setting the standard for best practices in this regard; its policies are open and transparent, and readily available on the websites of the Provost’s Office and Governing Council.
 The following clause appears in every major gift agreement signed by the University:
o “AND WHEREAS the parties affirm their mutual commitment to the University’s
Statement of Institutional Purpose which includes a commitment to foster an
academic community in which the learning and scholarship of every member may
flourish, with vigilant protection for the rights of freedom of speech, academic
freedom and freedom of research as described in the University’s Statement on
Freedom of Speech and in article 5 of the Memorandum of Agreement between the
University of Toronto and the University of Toronto Faculty Association”
 Other guidelines and policies commonly cited in gift agreements are included to provide further protection of the rights and freedoms of the institution. These include, among others, policies on naming, on management of endowed funds, on the process for establishing financial awards, on the process for establishing faculty appointments, on capital projects, and on the role of advisory bodies.
 The University of Toronto established guidelines on donations 15 years ago. The
guidelines include the statement that “the University values and will protect its integrity, autonomy and academic freedom, and does not accept gifts when a condition of such acceptance would compromise these fundamental principles.”
 The guidelines also state that “the University’s solicitation of gifts is informed by and consistent with academic priorities established by appropriate University processes. Undesignated gifts must be used for such purposes as the University judges will best advance its mission and academic priorities. Designated gifts are used expressly for the purpose for which they are given, which must be consistent with the University’s mission and academic priorities.”

10. How is the use of donations tracked?
 The University of Toronto has a sophisticated internal auditing process to ensure that money raised is expended as outlined in the agreements with donors.
 Gift agreements ensure clarity and transparency in our relationships with our donors. Through these agreements, our donors generously pledge their own resources to fund our academic ambitions; in return the University agrees to spend the money as specified in the agreement.
 The University has a robust stewardship program that provides annual reports to donors on the use of funds and on their impact.

11. Can donors be confident that their gifts will be managed prudently?
 In a recent letter to the University community, David Palmer spoke to recent changes to our management of endowments, the new President’s Investment Advisory Committee (IAC), and new options for investment. That letter is attached for your reference.

__________________________________

Dear friends,

It has been a summer marked by European debt trouble, a weakened U.S. economy, and
ongoing volatility in global markets. Canada’s economy and its securities markets have also been affected by these forces. However, at least on a comparative basis, Canada has fared well in these turbulent times. I hope the same has been true for each of you.

Amidst such economic uncertainty, I felt it timely to report on the steps we are taking to protect and steward the financial contributions of our donors. I also write with an update on a new fund we are creating at U of T—one that operates in a manner similar to endowments, but with an enhanced annual payout over a 10- to 20- year period.

Investment Management at U of T

As you may recall, shortly after the stock market crash in 2008/09, President David Naylor commissioned a wide-ranging review of the University of Toronto’s Asset Management (UTAM) group. The review examined the University’s investment policies, structures and strategies, and considered whether changes were needed to protect and optimize the investment performance of our endowment and pension funds.

The review was ably led by our Chancellor Emeritus, the Hon. Henry N.R. Jackman as Chair, and past-governor Larry Wasser as Vice-Chair, and drew heavily on the talents and commitment of an outstanding group of volunteers, several with substantial experience in investment and pension management. The review recommended closer integration of the management and governance of our investments with the University’s administration, stronger risk management, and new accountability mechanisms.

Several important changes have since been implemented.

The first was a new and streamlined corporate governance structure that more closely
integrated UTAM with the University’s leadership. UTAM now reports into a board comprising the President of the University, the Vice-President Business Affairs, the University’s CFO, UTAM’s CEO, and a representative of the University of Toronto Faculty Association. This board deals primarily with basic corporate governance and budget issues.

A second change was the creation of a President’s Investment Advisory Committee (IAC), with the mandate to advise the Office of the President on investment strategies. The IAC provides expert independent advice and counsel on matters such as investment guidelines, target returns, risk management, asset allocation, and strategy execution. Particular foci have been: defining a reference portfolio against which UTAM's performance can be measured, setting the degrees of freedom for UTAM in implementing an investment strategy, and offering input on reasonable target returns and related risk tolerances.

Third, the UTAM group, under CEO William Moriarty, has been simplifying the University’s holdings, reducing expenses, ensuring appropriate levels of liquidity, and implementing a stronger system for risk management.

Fourth, and finally, there has been separation of the approval processes for the pension plan and endowed funds. A new Pension Committee, with strong representation from employee groups, now reviews important pension-related decisions. The Business Board of Governing Council continues to review and approve endowment-related decisions. In both cases, the IAC is available to provide arm’s length input to improve decision-making.

The President and I both want to acknowledge publicly and thank our dedicated IAC members. We are exceedingly fortunate to have this group of volunteers providing expert counsel to the University on how best to manage our endowment and pension funds for the long term. All members are accomplished business leaders and investment professionals. Capsule biographies follow; fuller biographies are available on-line through the Governing Council website at http://www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/AssetFactory.aspx?did=7299.

University of Toronto President’s Investment Advisory Committee

Geoffrey Matus, IAC chair and former University governor, is President, Mandukwe Inc. and co- Founder and Director, Tricon Capital Group. Mr. Matus has more than 30 years of business experience in construction, manufacturing, real estate, and asset management. Among other directorships, he is Chair of Cidel Financial, a multinational financial services organization.

Brent Belzberg, a governor and alumnus, is Founding and Senior Managing Partner of TorQuest, a Toronto-based private equity investing firm. A respected veteran in the financial services industry, Mr Belzberg serves as a Director of CIBC and a number of other companies.

David Denison, an alumnus, is President and CEO, the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Investment Board. CPPIB manages over $125 billion on behalf of 17 million Canadians. He is a 30-year veteran of the financial services sector with wide experience in varied executive roles.

Martin Hubbes, an alumnus, is Executive Vice-President and Chief Investment Officer, AGF Investments Inc. Mr. Hubbes is also lead portfolio manager for AGF’s Canadian assets. He has wide international experience, and a strong focus on risk management.
Heather Hunter is Head of Canadian Equities, Invesco Worldwide Institutional. Her impressive career spans more than 30 years in financial services, including executive positions with Confederation Life Insurance, Trimark, and the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board.

Brian Lawson, an alumnus, is Senior Managing Partner and Chief Financial Officer, Brookield Asset Management Inc. Brookfield currently holds over $100 billion in diverse assets. As CFO, Mr. Lawson is responsible for financial reporting, corporate finance and risk management.

Robert Luba, President, Luba Financial, has more than 50 years of experience in the financial industry. Former President of Crown Life Insurance and Royal Bank Investment Management, Mr. Luba is currently Chairman of Invesco Trimark Mutual Funds.

Craig Rimer, CEO, Cidel Financial Group, is also chair of Toronto Capital Markets, a Torontobased investment counselor specializing in global equities. Mr. Rimer was previously with CIBC World Market’s Financial Products division and the Bankers Trust.

Christopher Wansbrough, alumnus and honorary graduate, is chair, Rogers Telecommunications Ltd, and was a director of the Rogers operating company for 28 years. Mr. Wansbrough has more than 50 years experience in financial services, including terms as president of National Trust (1977–86) and chair of OMERS Realty (1989–97).

New Donor-Designated Gift Option at U of T: Enhanced Payout Fund

In addition to ensuring the long-term health of our endowments, we have also developed a new fund that provides donors with more flexibility to support philanthropic goals over a medium-term horizon of 10 to 20 years. With its introduction, effective October 1, 2011, U of T will have three forms of gift designation, according to whether the donors wish to have a longterm, medium-term, or immediate impact with their giving.

Long Term: Endowment Fund
Endowments remain our traditional long-term, multi-generational form of support, intended to support beneficiaries in perpetuity. They therefore have conservative annual distributions that fluctuate within a narrow corridor (generally close to 4% of the fund’s market value). Endowments are invested for the long-term by UTAM, using a mix of public and private equities, fixed income, and other vehicles intended to sustain a 4% real rate of return, net of fees, so that the purchasing power of our endowments may keep pace with inflation over time.

Medium Term: Enhanced Payout Fund
The Enhanced Payout Fund, available as of October 1, 2011, is a new fund designation at U of T, intended for donors who wish to see higher annual distributions from their gift over a mediumterm, perhaps single generational period. The Enhanced Payout Fund will have a fixed annual distribution of 7.5% of the original gift capital, and will be invested by UTAM in public equities and fixed income vehicles, intended to sustain the fund over a 10- to 20-year horizon, or longer, as capital markets and actual investment returns allow. With its higher annual distributions, the Enhanced Payout Fund has the potential for annual impact beyond that which an Endowment would normally be able to support. However, unlike an Endowment, the Enhanced Payout Fund is not intended to be permanent, and will likely decline over time, depending on investment returns. The Enhanced Payout Fund may be appealing to donors of scholarships, fellowships, program funding, lectureships, or other needs.
Immediate Term: Expendable Fund Expendable gifts are given with the expectation that funds will be spent on immediate needs, such as to launch a new scholarship, support a conference, or advance a building project. For the weeks or months prior to their expenditure, expendable gifts are generally held by the University in a segregated account that has minimal volatility and allows for the preservation of capital until the funds are needed for spending.

I believe these three options should provide our donors with more flexibility and varied time horizons to realize their philanthropic aspirations. The donor funds will be invested and managed accountably, transparently and efficiently under the oversight of our Investment Advisory Committee and the President’s Office and with the approval of the University’s Business Board.

Last, I would be remiss not to express my thanks, on behalf of the broader University of Toronto community, for the continued generous support of so many benefactors. Through the decades, philanthropy has played a transformative role at the University of Toronto, and has given our faculty and students a critical “margin of excellence” that has sustained our standing as one of the world’s great universities.

Best regards,
David Palmer
Vice President - Advancement

UofT MoU with the Huron Wendat Nation

The University of Toronto has signed a Memorandum of Understanding allowing for the repatriation of remains and artifacts to the Huron Wendat Nation. This MoU was signed at a ceremony in Wendake, near Quebec City on November 29th.

The University of Toronto sits on land that was the home of the Huron Wendat until the late 17th century. Primarily during the middle part of the last century, faculty, staff and students of the University participated in archaeological excavations of many sites in southern Ontario, sites that were the homes of Huron Wendat ancestors. As a result, today the University holds many remains and artifacts gathered from those locations.

While the approaches followed in those excavations conformed with the attitudes of academia and society at the time, those attitudes have changed. The Memorandum of Understanding allows for the repatriation of those remains and artifacts in a culturally and spiritually appropriate way as determined by the Huron Wendat people. The actual transfer of the remains will occur when the Huron Wendat Nation has secured a final resting place for the remains and artifacts, but the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding is an important step in the process. The Memorandum of Understanding further establishes a process of cooperation between the University of Toronto and the Huron-Wendat Nation for the continued development of knowledge regarding the history of their people. The University is grateful to the Huron-Wendat Nation for its commitment to preservation of knowledge and further research.

The agreement was signed on behalf of the University by Professor Cheryl Regehr, Vice-Provost, Academic Programs and by Grand Chief Konrad Sioui, on behalf of the Huron Wendat Nation. Also present at the signing were Professor Meric Gertler, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science; Professor Amy Mullin, Dean of the University of Toronto Mississauga, Professor Susan Pfeiffer of the Department of Anthropology, and Mr. Steve Moate, Legal Counsel to the University.

University of Georgia: Tenure-track Engineering Faculty Positions

November 30, 2011
Dean of Engineering

RE: Tenure-track Engineering Faculty Positions at UGA

The University of Georgia (UGA) is seeking faculty scholars with entrepreneurial zeal for tenure-track positions in all ranks to create futurist engineering that builds a great discovery-innovation institution. Recent approval of academic degrees in all major engineering fields at Georgia’s nationally ranked flagship university has uniquely positioned UGA to create a model engineering program in a liberal arts environment. Individuals with passion for building futuristic engineering programs will find exciting opportunities here.

In the next 4-5 years we are targeted to add 25-30 new faculty positions to the current roll of 54 engineering faculty. Currently we are seeking applications for four tenure-track faculty (in all ranks) and two lecturer positions with expertise in areas of Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. Position announcements and procedures for submitting applications are available on our website: http://www.engineering.uga.edu/news/positions

Please share these exciting opportunities at the University of Georgia with your faculty, postdoctoral associates and graduate students. We can be contacted by email or telephone as listed below.

Thank you for your assistance in our efforts to build a model program.

Brahm Verma
Chair
Search Committee
bverma@engr.uga.edu
Telephone: 706-542-2154

E. Dale Threadgill
Director
Faculty of Engineering
tgill@engr.uga.edu

Brahm P. Verma
Professor and Associate Director Emeritus
Faculty of Engineering
Founding President of the Institute of Biological Engineering (IBE)
IBE – A Society for Advancing “Biology-Inspired” Engineering

December 6: A Day for Remembrance and Action

HR #15, 2011 - 2012

December 1, 2011

To:
All Faculty & Staff

From:
Angela Hildyard
Vice-President, Human Resources & Equity

Re: December 6: A Day for Remembrance and Action


Dear Colleagues,

I was working in my office at OISE when I heard the news that evening of December 6. The news of a shooting at École Polytechnique spread like wildfire and I, like many of us, was overcome with total shock and disbelief.

I had strong links to the Centre for Women's Studies in Education at OISE and in the weeks following that tragedy in 1989, I was involved with faculty and graduate students in trying to understand how this could have happened; and what, if anything, institutions might do to ensure it never happened again.

The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women on December 6 is an important date for one to give pause and to acknowledge its continuing significance between this public political act of anti-feminist violence against women, and the more common private personal acts of violence against women.

I also see the day as a reminder for each of us to look and see what we can do as individuals, and as a community, to end the violence.

For me, the shooting was one of the reasons I was compelled to join the John Howard Society (JHS). I felt the need to ‘do something’ and add my voice to the need for programs to prevent violence against women and children, as well as programs for offenders and those at risk of offending. I started as a volunteer with the JHS Toronto, and ended up, several years later, as the President of JHS Canada.

December 6 continues to resonate in my work at U of T and the work of the Human Resources & Equity division in ensuring we have a safe workplace and that we have the resources available to help those in need.

In some ways, that horrific fall day seems like it happened just weeks ago, and yet, when I look at the work undertaken in the two decades since, I know that we have come a long way.

This December 6, we remember the 14 women of École Polytechnique and we recognize the many women in the years since who have been victims of gender-based violence. In honour of them, flags will be lowered on all campuses that day.

I encourage you to attend the commemorative events as well as educate yourself on the resources available (http://www.hrandequity.utoronto.ca/Assets/Resources.pdf) to help those in need.


Schedule of Events on December 6:

St. George:

12:15 p.m.
December 6th Commemorative Benches
(In front of Hart House, behind UTSU)

12:45 p.m.
Working for Change Lunch, Hart House, East Common Room.

If you have an accommodation need, please email usha.chandrasekhar@utoronto.ca.

UTSC:

10 a.m.
Instructional Services Atrium

UTM:

Please note: event was held Friday, Nov. 25

[SGS] Gradschool e-News: December 2011, Incoming Students Edition

welcome

Congratulations on your acceptance to the University of Toronto and welcome. To make the most of your graduate experience at the University of Toronto please visit the Information for New Students section of the SGS website. The SGS Essential Graduate Guide handbook and the Information for New Students brochure are great sources of information for new graduate students.

need-to-know

TCard and UTORid: your keys to U of T services
Your TCard is your student photo identification card, your library card, and your key to various student activities and services. If you have not yet picked up your TCard, please stop by the Tcard office at Robarts Library (St. George Campus), the Card Office (Mississauga Campus), or the Registrar's Office (Scarborough Campus).

You will need your TCard to activate your UTORid, which will also automatically create your U of T email account. All official communication from the university is sent to your U of T email account. once you receive your new email address, please update your contact information on the Student Web Service. Your UTORid also gives you access to online services.
More TCard information
Activate your UTORid

Registration deadline
Students admitted in January 2011 have until January 13 to register. You are not registered until you have paid tuition and incidental fees, or have made an appropriate fees arrangement (see below). Your tuition invoice is electronically deposited directly to your student account. Fees paid after January 13 will be subject to late charges.
Check your student account
Sessional dates and deadlines

Courses start week of January 9
Most graduate courses and seminars begin the week of January 9. Most students can use the Student Web Service to enrol in and track course activity although some units require an enrolment form. Some grad units preload required course and research activity. Check your enrolment activity. Be sure to consult your home unit for detailed enrolment instructions.

Final date to add winter session courses - January 23
The deadline to add a January session course is January 23. After that, written permission of the course lecturer, your graduate coordinator and SGS approval is required. Add/Drop Course Forms are available on the SGS website.

money matters

OSAP forms available January 9
OSAP forms will be available for pickup starting January 9 at the SGS Student Information Desk, ground floor, 63 St. George St. To pick up your OSAP form you need to present both your TCard and Social Insurance Card.

Fees deferrals or registration without payment
OSAP and other provincial loan recipients can apply online via the Student Web Service to defer fees, pending receipt of funding. Students with full funding packages, awards, research stipends or teaching assistantships which cover at least the minimum tuition fee may also make a request to register without payment, pending receipt of funding. Contact your department graduate administrator for more information.

Awards payment by instalment
Students may receive their funding in a variety of ways. If you are receiving funding from your department, please check with your graduate administrator regarding the payment schedule. SGS award payments (SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR Masters, OGS) are made three times a year: September, January and May. The January and May award instalments are posted to your fees account and automatically put towards tuition and/or any outstanding charges. See Managing Your Award for details.

UTM/UTSC campus affiliation and course union fees
UTM/UTSC campus students can choose to pay incidental (non-academic) fees and course union fees on that campus. Students in single campus programs do not need to apply. Any other student who wishes to affiliate with UTM or UTSC may do so by completing the Change of Campus Affiliation Form before January 13. For more information, contact your graduate unit or contact the graduate affairs office: UTSC, call 416-287-7047, UTM see Office of Vice Dean Graduate.

Walter C. Sumner Memorial Fellowships
The Walter C. Sumner Memorial Fellowships are open to any doctoral students engaged in studies in Chemistry, Physics, Electrical Engineering or Computer Science. Approximately 40 fellowships, valued at $6,000 will be awarded each year. Apply through your home unit. Consult your Graduate Unit for their internal deadline.

news

The Statue and the Monk
The study of art history took on a whole new meaning for Ph.D. student Sarah Richardson the day she met the "monk engineer."

Neighbourhood Watch
Students in U of T Scarborough's City Studies program learn first-hand how local immigrants are adapting to life in Canada.

upcoming events

Winter Welcome 2012
Discover graduate student life at the University of Toronto. Winter Welcome 2012 is designed to connect incoming graduate students to support services as well as opportunities for engagement and learning outside the classroom. Let us answer your questions as we take a tour of various locations on the St. George Campus that offer services, resources and programs that are available for grad students. Light refreshments will be served. Monday, January 9, 2012, 10:00am-12:00pm.

GPS: A Roadmap to Graduate Professional Skills Development
Orientation sessions for the Graduate Professional Skills Program (GPS) are scheduled for Wednesday, January 11 and Thursday, January 12 at 2:00pm. GPS is a program of co-curricular offerings that provide doctoral stream graduate students comprehensive opportunities for professional skills development.

supports & resources

Your health is important to us
Are you coming to Toronto for the first time? U of T's health services suggest you bring your immunization records and medical certificates with you. These documents are not required for registration, but your immunization and medical certificates will ensure that we can provide the highest level of health care while you are here, should you need it. The health services provide confidential, student-centred health care, including comprehensive medical care, travel education, immunization, counselling and referrals.
St. George campus Health Service
Mississauga campus Health and Counselling Centre
Scarborough campus Health and Wellness Centre

New to Canada? Support for international students
The Centre for International Experience is the place for international students on the St. George Campus to sign up for medical insurance (UHIP), apply for off-campus work permits, seek advice and mentorship, and much more. They can also provide you with valuable advice on coming to U of T. Students at UTM and UTSC can pick up their UHIP cards at their health service and have access to both the St. George and campus-based international student services.
Centre for International Experience
International Student Resource Centre at Mississauga
International Student Centre at Scarborough

Student Life
Life at the University of Toronto is an experience like no other and the more energy you invest, the greater will be your experience. Our student body is the most culturally diverse university community in Canada and the 800+ student clubs equally reflect the diverse interests and passions of our students. Participate in student activities. Attend workshops to develop and apply leadership skills. Get a job on campus and, more than anything, find what is meaningful to you and explore it.

Visit the Gradlife website to get connected with specialized workshops, social events, online resources and publications designed to enhance your graduate student experience. Check out the Gradlife blog, and follow Gradlife on Twitter.

U of T's new online map makes campus easy to navigate
U of T has introduced an innovative new map to help you easily find your way around the St. George campus. It's searchable, layered and allows you to get directions to places on campus from anywhere.

[SGS] Gradschool e-News: December 2011, Returning Students Edition

need to know

Winter break
U of T is closed for winter break from December 21 to January 1 inclusive and reopens on Monday, January 2. Enjoy your well-earned time off.

Courses resume week of January 9
Most graduate courses and seminars begin the week of January 9. Most students can use the Student Web Service to enrol in courses, but some departments require an enrolment form. Be sure to consult your department for detailed enrolment instructions.

Final date to add winter session courses is January 23
The final date to add a January session course is January 23. After the deadline you will need written permission of the course lecturer, written permission of your graduate coordinator and SGS approval. Add/Drop Course forms are available on the SGS website.

Doctoral thesis submission deadline to avoid January fees
Have you successfully completed your final oral examination? Remember, January 16 is the final date for doctoral candidates who have successfully defended to submit their thesis in final, approved form to avoid paying tuition fees for the January session. See Final Year Fees for more information.

Dual registration period ends January 27
Dual registered students who were admitted to a Ph.D. program in September while having a minimal amount of work to complete in their Master's program have until January 27 to be recommended for the Master's degree to maintain their Ph.D. registration. If the Master's program is not completed, the Ph.D. registration will be cancelled and full-time registration in the Master's program will be reactivated.

Convocation in absentia: March convocation requests
Students who complete all degree requirements by January 27, 2012 are eligible graduate either in March or June. March Convocation is in absentia - there are no March Convocation ceremonies. The requirements to be eligible to convocate are explained on the Graduation page of the SGS website.

Your name appears on your diploma, exactly as it is recorded on ROSI (the university's Repository of Student Information). To view your name on ROSI, just visit the ROSI website and select the "Graduation" option. February 5 is the deadline to correct the information for March Convocation and March 11 is the deadline for June Convocation.

If you have accents in your name, download and complete the Name on Diploma form and return the form to the address provided. This form is only for accents. Should you wish to change your name (this includes middle names) or gender, please contact SGS Student Services at graduate.information@utoronto.ca. Name/gender changes are processed at SGS Student Services at 63 St. George St., first floor counter.

money matters

OSAP forms available January 9
OSAP forms will be available for pickup starting January 9 at the SGS Student Information Desk, ground floor, 63 St. George St. To pick up your OSAP form you need to present both your TCard and Social Insurance Card.

Award instalment
Students may receive their funding in a variety of ways. If you are receiving funding from your department, please check with your graduate administrator regarding the payment schedule. SGS award payments (SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR Masters, OGS) are made three times a year: September, January and May. The January and May award instalments are posted to your fees account and automatically put towards tuition and/or any outstanding charges. See Managing Your Award for details.

Adel Sedra Distinguished Graduate Award
The Adel Sedra Distinguished Graduate Award is a fellowship of up to $25,000 recognizing a doctoral candidate in second or third year for his or her academic excellence, extra-curricular activities and involvement in university life. The deadline for applications is Friday, December 9.

OGI Genomics Publication Fund
The Ontario Genomics Institute (OGI) has established a new fund that provides up to $3,000 for Ontario researchers to make their research publications open access. The OGI Genomics Publication Fund supports the free and unrestricted access to genomics research papers in high-impact publications. Contact OGI or visit the OGI Genomics Publication Fund website for details and to view examples of publications that have already been funded.

Walter C. Sumner Memorial Fellowships
The Walter C. Sumner Memorial Fellowships are open to any doctoral students engaged in studies in Chemistry, Physics, Electrical Engineering or Computer Science. Approximately 40 fellowships, valued at $6,000 will be awarded each year. Apply through your home unit. Consult your graduate unit for their internal deadline.

Mackenzie King Scholarships
Two classes of Mackenzie King Scholarships are available to graduates of Canadian universities to support graduate study.The Mackenzie King Open Scholarship is open to graduates of any Canadian university who are pursuing postgraduate study in any field, in Canada or elsewhere. The Mackenzie King Travelling Scholarship is open to graduates of any Canadian university who are pursuing postgraduate study in either the United States or the United Kingdom in the subject area of international relations or industrial relations (these aspects also included within law, history, politics and economics). The full application and instructions are available online. Complete applications are due to the Graduate Awards Office no later than 4:00pm on Wednesday, February 1, 2012.

news

The Statue and the Monk
The study of art history took on a whole new meaning for Ph.D. student Sarah Richardson the day she met the "monk engineer."

Neighbourhood Watch
Students in U of T Scarborough's City Studies program learn first-hand how local immigrants are adapting to life in Canada.

upcoming events

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women - December 6
December 6 is the anniversary of the murder of 14 women students at l'Ecole Polytechnique. Join us for a ceremony of remembrance at the December 6 commemorative benches followed by a "Working for Change" lunch at Hart House. At the Scarborough campus, a ceremony will take place at 10:00am in the Instructional Centre Atrium.

Grad Escapes: Clay class at Gardiner Museum
Work with a professional ceramic artist and hand-build your own unique, one-of-a-kind contemporary sculpture at the Gardiner Museum. Consider making a unique and personal holiday gift! The object will be fired and you will be required to pick up your piece at a later date. No experience necessary. December 12, 4:30pm. Tickets $12, on sale online December 5.

supports & resources

e-Thesis Submission: What You Need to Know About Going Global
Getting ready to submit your thesis or disseration? Lisa Fannin of the SGS Doctoral Exams Office and Julie Hannaford of Library (Central ) Administration will be on hand to answer your questions at an e-Thesis submission workshop offered December 6 and March 5. Theses and dissertations must now be submitted electronically to T-Space - University of Toronto's research repository - and are searchable via Google and other search engines by anyone with internet access around the world. This means there are more opportunities for graduate students' work to be found, read, and cited. All graduate students are invited attend.

English Language and Writing Support January courses
Online registration for January courses offered by the Office of English Language and Writing Support will open on Monday January 2 at 10:00am. ELWS courses are free, non-credit, and available exclusively to U of T graduate students. Courses fill quickly, so register on January 2 to avoid disappointment. ELWS also offers free single-session workshops and one-on-one writing consultations.

GPS: A Roadmap to Graduate Professional Skills Development
Orientation sessions for the Graduate Professional Skills Program (GPS) are scheduled for Wednesday, January 11 and Thursday, January 12 at 2:00pm. GPS is a program of co-curricular offerings that provide doctoral stream graduate students comprehensive opportunities for professional skills development.

Friday, November 25, 2011

SGS: Final Oral Examinations

Please note that the below memo regarding a change in SGS policy shouldn't affect our Department in any way. Our departmental policy of holding an extra departmental thesis presentation before the final includes a requirement that one of the 4 members of the examing committee be someone who has not worked closely with the student's thesis.

Therefore, this person with the addition of an outside appraiser for the final exam already puts us in compliance with this new SGS rule.
_____________________________________________________

SGS #003, 2011-2012

TO: Graduate Chairs, Directors, Coordinators and Administrators
Vice-Deans and Administrators in Faculty Graduate Offices

FROM: Brian Corman, Dean of Graduate Studies and Vice-Provost, Graduate Education

CC: Council of Graduate Deans, School of Graduate Studies Staff

Date: November 21, 2011

RE: FINAL ORAL EXAMINATIONS

I am writing to update you on changes to the composition of the Final Oral Examination (FOE) Committee and to remind you of the SGS regulations and best practices for the scheduling of the Final Oral Examination and the appointment of external appraisers.

I: CHANGES TO THE COMPOSITION OF EXAMINATION COMMITTEE

At the Graduate Education Council on Tuesday 15 November 2011, the following change was approved, effective 1 July 2012.

Increase the required number of voting members of the examination committee who have not been closely involved in the supervision of the thesis from at least one to at least two.

This change does not affect any of the following:
· the number of voting members of the examination committee (four to six members);
· the number of voting members required for quorum (four voting members;
· the number of voting members who have served on the supervisory committee (one to three members).

This change does affect:
· the composition of the examination committee required for quorum. As of July 1, 2012, there must be at least two voting members who have not been closely involved in the supervision of the thesis.

This change reflects current practice in many graduate units, ensuring that the examination committee has at least two members who are at arm’s length from the thesis.

SGS recommends that one of the arm’s length members should be the external appraiser. In order to ensure quorum, SGS recommends that the proposed examination committee consist of three arm’s length members plus at least two members of the supervisory committee. These numbers can be adjusted as appropriate as the day of the exam draws near.

II: SCHEDULING OF THE FINAL ORAL EXAMINATION

Although the SGS Calendar describes an eight (8) week lead time for the Final Oral Examination(1), SGS is exercising flexibility for the scheduling of Final Oral Examinations in line with our guidelines

. . . at least six weeks before the date that the examination is to be held, inform the Doctoral Examinations Office that the thesis is ready to go forward for defense,
specifying the examination date and time.(2)

Graduate units are free to establish their own schedule for the submission of the dissertation, provided that they adhere to the six week time frame. The graduate unit schedule must reflect the fact that the external appraiser must be approved by SGS before the thesis is sent out. The Final Oral Examination online pre-approval system greatly facilitates this process and, generally, SGS is able to respond
within 48 hours.

Graduate units should allow sufficient time for the process of arranging and scheduling the Final Oral Examination and clearly communicate to students the length of time that is generally required in the unit to make the necessary arrangements.

III: ELIGIBILITY OF EXTERNAL APPRAISER

To ensure a speedy response to the nomination of an external appraiser, please consider the following regulations:

· The supervisor of the thesis will propose a list of three or more names of possible external appraisers to the Graduate Coordinator or Chair, who will choose one and send the recommendation to SGS for approval.
· The graduate unit will certify that the external appraiser has an arm’s length relationship to the candidate and supervisor.
· The external appraiser should be a recognized expert on the subject of the thesis and should be external to the university as well as to its affiliated teaching hospitals and research institutes.
· Such an individual must be an associate or full professor at the home institution or, if the individual comes from outside the academic sector, must possess the qualifications to be appointed to an academic position at this level.(3)

Further information on best practices on eligibility can be found in the SGS Guidelines for the Doctoral Final Oral Examination available at:
http://www.sgs.utoronto.ca/Assets/SGS+Digital+Assets/governance/policies/FOEGuidelines2010.pdf

Please contact Liz Smyth, Vice Dean, Programs, for further information or clarification on any of the items described above.
________________________

1 http://www.sgs.utoronto.ca/calendar/2011-12/genreg/supervision/FOE.htm
2 http://www.sgs.utoronto.ca/Assets/SGS+Digital+Assets/governance/policies/FOEGuidelines2010.pdf
3 http://www.sgs.utoronto.ca/calendar/2011-12/genreg/supervision/FOE.htm

Welcome to the CIV-MIN Blog

This is where we compile all the announcements, postings and non-urgent alerts that used to clog up your email inbox. Feel free to scroll through the latest postings organized by date below, or check our categorized listings on the right for the information you want.